Sunken ship marker and relief buoy



June 8, 1937.

J. B. ROOKE SUNKEN SHIP MARKER AND RELIEF BUOY Filed Oct. 11, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l 3mm: m M86 5677267221 foo/fa,

June 8, 1937. J. B. ROOKE 2,083,306

SUNKEN SHIP MARKER AND RELIEF BUOY Filed Oct. 11, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 8, 1937. J. B. ROOKE 2,083,306

SUNKEN SHIP MARKER AND RELIEF BUOY Filed Oct. 11, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet s 87 7, ME t? 36 3 5 Q I B I r 7 l V 75 1 All m F U 2% E 7 7 l ,7 z'@'. 9

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, Gr m! Patented June 8, 1937 UNITED STATES PATET OFFICE 17 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in relief buoys for sunken ships, and has to do, most particularly, with the provision of a practical device of this type suitable for incorporation as a part of the standard equipment of a submarine or other vessel.

The primary object of my invention is to provide such a relief buoy, the equipment of which is positive in action and certain in operation even under adverse conditions.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a relief buoy which is compact in size and adapted for installation in vessels, such as submarines, the available space of which is extremely limited.

Another object of my invention is to provide a relief buoy which is sufiiciently sturdy and stable to withstand the buffeting of high seas without injury to itself or interference with the normal operation of the apparatus carried thereby.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus especially designed for installation in and as a part of such a buoy, which apparatus 2.". is characterized by the requirement of an absolute minimum of attention and inspection during non-use thereof and which can be relied upon to function substantially automatically when the need therefor arises.

Another object of my invention is to provide compact communication equipment for use in such a buoy, which equipment has greater range and efficiency than apparatus heretofore known and available.

.Another object of my invention is to provide a fresh air supply system for sunken vessels, which system is positive in action and is free from tendency toward flooding or freezing up even in high seas and under extremely low temperatures.

Another object of my invention is to provide a signaling and communication system the current supply for which is assured, the battery of the sunken ship being available initially, a separate buoy-carried battery being automatically i available upon failure of the ship battery, and

r a manually driven generator being available in the event of depletion or failure of these batteries.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a buoy of this type which is automatic in the assumption of its various functions, the equipment thereof automatically beginning its operation almost instantly after the buoy is released from the distressed vessel.

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation will more definitely appear from the detailed description to follow. In one instance I accomplish the objects of my invention by the apparatus and 60 structure set forth in the following specification.

My invention is clearly defined in the appended claims. A structure constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. l is a view, in side elevation, of a relief buoy constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the buoy head forming a part of the device illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the buoy head shown in Fig. 2, the view being taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the same buoy head, the view being taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of a portion of the buoy illustrated in Fig. 1, the view being taken through the radio antenna and head stays.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of the buoy float and emergency battery compartment.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the buoy float and emergency battery compartment.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the buoy ballast box.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view of the buoy ballast box.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of a portion of one of the combined head struts and antenna supports of the buoy, a portion of several of the coils of the helical antenna being shown in cross section. Fig. 11 is a detail view of a portion of one of the antenna spacer elements, the antenna disposed therein being shown in cross section.

Fig. 12 is a detail view of the pendulum switch of the buoy, which switch automatically closes the several signaling and communication circuits substantially immediately after release of the buoy from the distressed vessel.

Fig. 13 is a detail view of one of the locking contacts of the switch illustrated in Fig. 12, the associated switch arm being shown locked therein.

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the flood-preventing valve employed adjacent the outlet end of the exhaust air duct of the buoy.

Fig. 15 is a view, in side elevation, of a sunken vessel equipped with a buoy of the type described, the buoy having been released from the vessel and having partially righted itself during its approach to the surface.

Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view of a vessel having a berth for a buoy embodying my invention and provided with a cable drum and supplemental equipment representing a preferred mode of practicing my invention.

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic circuit arrangement illustrating the manner in which the several sig-.-. naling and communication devices are associated a head member l2.

with each other and the several alternatively available current sources.

The same reference numerals refer, respectively, to the same parts: throughout the several views.

In a broad sense, my invention finds embodiment in a relief buoy consisting of a float section, ballast means for maintaining said float section in upright position, and a superstructure on; said float consisting of a buoy head and. stay members extending upwardly from and securing said head'to said float, upon which stay members and beneath said head is wound 'a helical radio antenna. Preferably said head forms a housing for-an electric ray-spreading beacon, a telephone for communication with the disabled submarine, and airconnections for providing proper air conditions in the sunken vessel. Preferably too, the float section serves as a water-tight compartment for an emergency battery as well as switches for automatically placing the several electrical communication and signaling appliances in operation upon release of the buoy from the distressed vessel, as well as for connecting the emergency battery to these appliances upon failure of the ships battery. v

More specifically, and with reference to .the accompanying drawing, my invention is preferably embodied in a buoy consisting of a float compartment ill, a ballast compartment H and The ballast compartment I l is connected to the float compartment M) by a central tube l3 and a plurality of stay members M which lend strength and rigidity yet provide a sub-structure which is sufiiciently open to I be free from injury by wave action in a heavy sea. If desired, a frusto-conical protective sheet of perforate metal may be disposed between the float'li) and ballast compartment H to protect u the stays M against injuryrrom floating objects.

Within and upon the bottom of, the ballast com' partment is placed a ring i5 of heavy material such as lead, shown in Fig. 8, and a handhole is provided in the sidewall of said compartment ll. and closed with a detachably bolted plate l6.,. A'similar opening and closure plate H is provided for the float compartment ill to aiford access to its interior. The buoy head [2 is supported upon the float compartment it by a, central tube I8 and four. stay members 19, provided with turnbuckles 2G by which said stay members are uniformly tensioned.

The illustrated buoy head l2, shown in detail in Fig.2, is constitutedby a bottom section 2! attached to said stay members and central tube l8 and has a central.openingtherethrough which communicates with the latter. Upon the section 2! is boltedan intermediate head section 22 the' joint between which sections is sealed by a-gasket 23. The section 22 is also pivotally secured to the section 2| by a hinge 24!, for purposes later to be described. Mounted upon the section 22 is a third ortop section comprising a channeled ring 25, a heavy cylindrical glass side wall 26 seated within .the channel of said ring, and a cap member .2? provided with an annular channel which receives the top edge of said glass wall 2B. Packing material 28 is interposed between vthe edges of the glass wall and the channels of the members and 21, preventing entry of. water therebetween. A plurality of bolts 29, secure the several sections: 25, 26 and 21in assembly and also serve as guards for the glass zlAparabolio reflector .30 is provided with a supporting flange 3| clamped between the sections 22 and 25 of the head. Openings are provided in the reflector 30 for three electric lamps 32 which are carried in sockets 33 mounted upon the bottom of the section 22. These lamps 32 aresymmetrically arranged with respect to the focal center of the reflector 30 and a vertical beam of light is thus upwardly directed through the head and upon the inverted conical reflector 34 which directs the beam horizontally through the glass wall 28 in all directions.

A pair of flexible tubular air lines 35, 36, for fresh and spent air, respectively, extend through the central tube l8, float compartment l0, tube l3, and ballast compartment H, into communication with the sunken ship. The upper portions of the intake and exhaust air lines 35 and 36 aredisposed in the head section 2! and the exhaust line extends through the side wall thereof into communication with the external atmosphere. Means 38 are provided in the exhaust line for preventing the access of water thereinto, which means are shown in detail in Fig. 14, and consist of a weighted valve element 38a provided with guiding portions 382) and 380 slidable axially in the valve port and detachable plug 38d respectively. Exhaust air from the sunken ship flows as indicated by the arrows, the weighted valve element 380. normally tending to remain seated and opening only when the pressure within the line 35 is suflicient to lift the element 38a. Any water entering the terminal portion 3% of the air line in a heavy sea will, due to the battle form of the valve seat web 33c and the seating direction of the valve element 38a, be unable to gain access to the exhaust line proper.

The present structure is contemplatedfor use with sunken ships or submarines carrying a large reserve supply of oxygen in compressed or instable, chemically-combined form. For this reason this inlet air line 35 is not shown in communication with the external atmosphere, but terminates in .a capped connection 39 whichis accessible to the rescue party by the simple expedient of unbolting the head sections 22 and 21, and swinging the former upon its hinge 24. ()xygen may be stored in ample quantity in the forms mentioned, and if provision, such as described, is made for its release from the sunken ship or submarine when spent, the removal of the cap 39 and use of the air line 35 will be necessary only in cases where a prolonged period is required for rescue work. Obviously, however, the intake line 35 may be in communication with the external atmosphere if desired, it being necessary only to provide, in conjunction therewith, a trap'for precluding entry of water thereinto.

My invention is particularly concerned with the provision of a structure which is certain of initial and continued operation even under the most adverse conditions. In this respect, particular provision is made to preclude impaired action of the exhaust valve 38 due to the freezing therein of such water as may gain access thereto in a heavy sea. This is accomplished by utilizing the heat normally generated by the beacon lamps 32 to provide a circulation of heated air in the valve' compartment constituted by the lower head section 2!. Two series of openings, Ciliaand 32?), are provided in the reflector 38 and, in conjunction with two series of openings 22a and 22b, afiord a constant circulation of air between and around the normally heated lamps 32, and into and through the section 2|, heating the valve 68 and precluding freezing of such moisture or Water asmay gain access thereto.

A telephone, permitting two-way communication between the distressed ship and the rescue party reaching the buoy is also provided. The buoy-carried telephone instrument 40 is disposed within the head section 2| and access thereto may behad by unbolting the section 22 from the section 2|. A similar telephoneinstrument 4! is carried within the submarine or other sunken vessel and connected; thereto by the two wires 42, 43 andthe grounds 44, 45, as shown in Fig. 17. A combined radio transmitter and receiver 46 is provided in, the submarine or sunken vessel and is connected, by a pair of insulated and, if desired, shielded lead-in wires 41, 48, to the loop antenna 49 carried by the;buoy. The buoy-carried antenna is in the form of a tapered helix, the several turns 49a, of which are more or less 0 rectangular, engaged at their corners in the notches 56a of isolantite cleats 50 one of which is secured to and substantially coextensive with each of said head-staying members l9, as shown in detail in Figs. 5, 10 and 11. In addition, complementary isolantite cleat members 5!, 52, suitably bolted together, clamp the turns of the antenna helixin proper spacing at the four posi tions intermediate the stays l9, providing a strong and strain-resistant structure. The wire constituting the antenna 49 is insulated with a rubber or similarly resistant covering, and the two ends of the loop extend upwardly and, with a watertight fit, into the section 2| of the buoy head, wherein they are connected one to each of 5 the lead-in wires 41, 48. A distributing panel 53 of bakelite or other insulating material is provided within the head section 21 and, by means of binding posts 53a, facile and orderly connection of all electrical circuits ismade possible.

Certainty of action is a primary feature of the illustrated device embodying my invention and to insure operation of the electrical equipment thereof, there is provided a switch 55 which has the characteristic of automatically closing the telephone and beacon circuits immediately after release of the buoy from the distressed vessel.

The buoy is normally carried in a:horizontal position in a berth or compartment 56 formed in the upper portion of the hull of the sunken ship.

A pair of interengaged, watertight doors 51, 6B are provided, which doors constitute the upper half of the compartment 56 and are normally maintained in closed position by a bolt 56 which may be withdrawn electrically'or pneumatically by the occupants of the vessel. A saddle or saddles 54 is provided in the compartment 56, upon which saddle the buoy body orfloat portion [0 rests, and springs 54a are disposed upon the floor of thecompartment 56 and tend to urge the 60 buoy upwardly against the doors 51, 58, with such force as to maintain the buoy snugly in the compartment 56, as well as to provide a pressure upon the inner surface of the doors 57, 58, equal to or in excess of external water pressure to which they might be subjected, thus permitting facile opening of the doors and release of the buoy when the'ship has sunk.- An air duct 66 may be employed in lieu of these spring saddles, in which event airunder pressure may be admitted to the berth 56 to overbalance the water pressure on the doors 51, 58, and effect their opening.

An anchoring ring 6| is secured to the base of the ballast compartment I I, which ring is connected to a mooring cable 62. The cable 62 is provided withclips 63 by which the air lines 35,

' ship proper.

36, as well as the electric wires for the telephone, battery supply and radio antenna are closely secured thereto. The cable 62 with its several thus associated air and electric lines is normally carried upon the drum 64 within the sunken ship, which drum is made of non-metallic material such as wood, fiber or the like. By reason of the drum construction of non-metallic material and the fact that the antenna 49 is a closed loop, the parallel lead-in wires 41 and 48 of which are wound 'thereon in the same direction, the capacity and inductance factors of the antenna circuit are substantially constant irrespective of the extent to which the cable is unreeled by the released buoy in its ascent to the surface. The transmitting wave length of the antenna is, therefore, substantially constant, with the result that distress signals will be confined to a predetermined frequency assuring reception by prospective rescue vessels, regardless of the depth of the distressed vessel beneath the surface.

A suitable packing member 65 is provided in the base of the buoy compartment 56, and the cable 62, together with its associated air and electric lines, is freely slidable therethrough without permitting entry of Water into the sunken If desired, the cable '62 and its associated lines may be enclosed within a single smooth sheath, eliminating the clips 63. The drum 64 is provided with rotary joints 66 and 61 by which the coupling of suitable air ducts 68, 68, of the sunken ship to the drum-carried lines 35, 36, is afforded. Slip ring and wiper-brush elements 16, ll, 12, l3, l4 and 15 are associated with the axle of the drum 64 and connect the antenna lead-in wires 41, 48, the telephone lines 42, 43, and the battery current supply lines 16, 11, of the buoy tothe respective equipment of the sunken ship at all times.

As shown in Fig, 17, a battery 18, preferably the standard battery of the sunken ship, is connected, through the medium of the three-position switch 79, to the main electric supply lines 16, 11. These lines 16, 11, are automatically connected, through the operationof the switch 55 previously mentioned, to the beacon lamps 32 and telephones 46, 4|, upon release and righting of the buoy. More particularly, the automatic, double-throw switch 55 is disposed in the float compartment ll] of the buoy and is provided, as shown in Figures 12, 13 and 18 with a double swingable switch arm 55a carrying a weight 55b at its end, the two blades of which arm, when once moved into circuit-closing position, are locked against disengagement from their respective pairs of shouldered switch contact fingers 55c and 55d. The switch 55 is mounted in the buoy with its base 556 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the buoy, so that while the buoy is berthed in the compartment 56 of the sunken ship there is no tendency for the switch to become closed, even under the normal starting, stopping and dipping of the vessel in its operation. When, however, the ballasted buoy is released from the vessel it rights itself to a vertical position and the arm 55a is swung closed by the effect of gravity upon the weight 55b. The arm 55a in swinging downwardly snaps its blades into the spaces between the contacts each of which is constituted by the latching finger members 55c, 55d. Once thus engaged, the switch is permanently closed, and the telephone and beacon circuits are continu ously energized.

An emergency battery 80, in two sections, is

' battery. 1'8.

areprovided for placing the emergency battery 89 in the power circuit constituted by thelines 16;, upon failure or depletion of the main The switch 8! may take any of a number of well known forms found inthe general electrical art, although, preferably, it should be charged or disabled, thereby relieving thezbattery 89 of the burden of the inactive battery 18.

1 Should it be found that both batteries 18 and 80 are unsuitable foruse, the manually-driven generator 82 may be placed on the line 16, ll, through shifting the switch 19 to the third of the three positions illustrated in Fig. 18. Where the beacon is of a size such that the lamps 32 require a large current supply, obviously the generator i2 may be coupled for energizing only the radio equipment. likewise, the telephone circuit may be energized by adistinct current source such asa dry cell battery (not shown) carried by the buoy. Where the switch 85 is closed only when the line voltage across the terminals M, 15 is below normal, it is apparent that the battery 38 will be taken on" the line 1'6, 3?, during the use of the generator 82, thereby relieving the operator from the effort of charging the battery 86. The battery '58, of course, is likewise out of the'circuit when the generator 32 is placed on the line by the switch 19.

The actuation of the switch iii may be effected manually as shown, or, if desired,it may be of a type which will operate automatically. The method of use and the operation, of the system and apparatusherein illustrated should appear readily from the foregoing description. Assuming that the ship equipped with a buoy embodying my invention is disabled and is resting beneath the surface, the bolt 59, retaining the doors 5?, 58, inclosed position, is withdrawn and the springs 54a acting through thespring saddles 54 and the buoy body force the doors 5?, 53 open sufficiently to admit water into the compartment 56, whereupon pressure on the inner and outer surfaces of the doors is equalized and the doors swing to fully open position, releasing the buoy. Where compressed air is available and can be ad mitted to the compartment 56 through the duct 60, the springs 54a, and saddles 56 may be eliminated. For positive action, and on vessels havin available no standard high pressure air supply, however, spring actuation of the doors is preferred. As another alternative, a valve-closed ventinot shown) might be employed to admit sea Water to the interior of the compartment 56 and thus equalize internal and external pressure to such an extent that the normal buoyancy of the buoy would cause it to bear upwardly upon the doors 51, 58, toan extent sufiicient to effect their opening and'release of the buoy from its berth. When the doors5'l, 53, swing open, the buoy, being lighter than the water it'displaces, begins its ascent to the surface, the drum 64 paying out cable. 62 through the watertight packing 65. Directly after its release from the distressed vessel, the buoy rights itself and the weighted latch switch 55, dueto'itsunbalanced condition when cults for energization by the batterylB. .With

the switch (9 in the position shown in F ig. 17, the combined radio transmitter and; receiver 46 is also placed in operation. Continuity of the several circuits constituted by the conductors 41, .46; 42, 43; and 16, ll, is assured at all times by the slip ring and wiper-brushelements 16, ll; 12, i3; and 74,15, respectively. Likewise tight coupling of the air lines. 35, 36, tothe lines 68 and 69 is assured by the drum-associated rotary couplings 66, '61. A supply of oxygen (not shown) is carried by thesunken ship-in a condensed form and is releasedto the living quarters therein at a rate adequate to support life. When the buoy has reached the surface, the exhaust line 36 associated with the cable 62 permits the removal of spent airfrom the sunkenship through the valve 38 whichis unseated-as thepressure within the line 36 builds up to a predetermined value. If desired, the spent air may be pumped through the line 36 and exhausted at a higher pressure, in

which event thevalve 38 may be loaded by a noncorrcsive springor weights (not shown) Means such as the well-known air-purifying compounds of calcium may be employed in the sunken ship alternatively or supplementally to reduce fouling of the air within the vessel when in distress.

The several electrical signaling and communication circuits having been energized through closure of the switch ,55, and the buoy having righted itself and. having assumed the position illustrated in Figure l, the beacon constituted by the lamps 32, reflectors 36 and 34, and transparent glass wall 26, spreads its light in all directions of the compass and, together with the radio signals of predetermined wavelength transmitted from the highly efficient antenna 59, informs all Vessels within transmitting range of the radio equipment that the ship is in distress. A rescue party reaching the buoy has but to remove the bolted top section 22 cf the buoy head from its capping relation upon the head section 2| in order to gain access tothe telephone instrument 4!], whereupon direct communication with the occupants of the distressed vesselmay be effected. Should rescue operations be likely to'require considerable time,

and air may be pumped from the surface to the occupants of the submerged ship,

Should the ships battery 18 become discharged or otherwise fail, the emergency battery 86in the buoy compartment l6 will be automatically placed in the power line T6, Tl, by the automatic switch 6|, thereby assuring operation of the radio transmitter and receiver 46, the beacon lamps 32 and the telephones 46, 4|. To reduce load upon the emergency battery 80, which it should be explained, is preferably of the heavyduty marine type free from tendency toward leakage when in any position, theswitch 79 may be manually, or preferably automatically, placed in mid or off position disconnecting the battery 78. Continued operation of the radio equipment, and if desired, operation of all communication and signalingequipment may be had, even though both ship and buoy batteries '18 and 86 are discharged or otherwise, ,unserviceable, simply by shifting the switch 19 to its third position and employing the manually driven generator 82. If desired, switch 79 may be of a type such that its actuation is effected automatically. Through the function of the switch 8|, the battery 80 is automatically taken from the lineas long as the generator 82 is operated.

The air lines 35, 36 may be sealed in the bottom wall of theballast box IE bymeans of 'stufiing the cap 39 of the intake airline 35 may be removed boxes [a, while the electric supply lines are sealed in this same wall by suitable packings or nuts l5b.

From the foregoing description the several 5 advantages and objects attainable by the embodiment and practice of my invention should be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains. Likewise, numerous optional changes in structure and arrangement of parts and equipment will appeanwhich changes fall within the scope of my invention. Further, it is obvious that the size and proportions of the buoy, cables and other elements of the illustrated structure may vary considerably in different installations. While my invention has great utility when embodied as a safety appliance for submarines, it is also readily applicable to various types of vessels merely by the provision of a passenger space which is scalable against the entry of water upon sinking of the vessel. Some of the elements of the illustrated equipment may be employed individually, modified, or even eliminated under certain conditions, without constituting a departure from the broad concepts of my invention. I, therefore, claim my invention broadly, as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is: l. A relief buoy for sunken vessels comprising a float, ballasting means secured beneath said.

float, a buoy head spaced above said float, an electric beacon disposed within said buoy head, a central tube extending upwardly from said float, supporting said buoy head and beacon, and serving as a waterproof conduit for the supply lines for said beacon, stay members extending upwardly from the top of said float adjacent its periphery and connected, at their upper ends, to said head, and a helically wound radio antenna having its several turns rigidly supported by said head-staying members, said antenna having an electrically-insulated lead-in connection extending into said head tube in hermetically sealed association therewith, and extending downwardly through said central tube.

2. A relief buoy for sunken vessels comprising a float, ballasting means secured beneath said float, a buoy head spaced above said float, an electric beacon disposed within said buoy head, a central tube extending upwardly from said float, 50 supporting said buoy head and beacon, and serving as ,a waterproof conduit for the supply lines for said beacon, stay members extending upwardly fromthe top of said float adjacent its periphery and connected, at their upper ends, to said head, 55 a helically wound radio antenna supported by said head-staying members, cleats .carriedby and spacing the several turns of said antenna at points intermediate said stay members, and an electrically insulated lead-in connected to said antenna and extending into said head in hermetically sealed relation therewith and downwardly through said central tube.

3. A relief buoy for sunken vessels comprising a float, ballast means secured beneath said float, 65 supporting means extending upwardly from said float, and a buoy head spaced above said float carried by said supporting means, said head consisting of a base section, a transparent side wall section and a top section, which sections are hermetically sealed against the entry of moisture and form a closed casing, an electric beacon within said head adjacent the top thereof, reflector means for spreading the rays of said beacon horizontally in all directions, inlet and '75 outlet air lines terminating in the lower portion of said casing and extending therethrough into communication with the atmosphere, said air lines and beacon being located in a space of said casing the parts of which are in communication,

means for detachably securing the upper, beaconw of a rescue vessel upon detachment of said upper;

beacon-housing portion of said head.

4. A relief buoy for sunken vessels comprising a float, ballast means secured beneath said float, an upwardly extending standard mounted upon said float, and a buoy head supported by and capping said standard, said head comprising a cup-shaped bottom section attached to said standard, a cup-shaped intermediate section and. an inverted cup-shaped top section the side wall of which is transparent, air conveying means" terminating in said bottom section and extending through the side wall thereof in hermetically sealed relation therewith, an inverted conical reflector mounted in said top section, a parabolic reflector in said intermediate section and facing said conical reflector for directing light thereupon, and an electric lighting element disposed adjacent the focal point of said parabolic reflector, said parabolic reflector being provided with openings adjacent its top and bottom, and said intermediate section having perforations therein so arranged with respect to the openings of said reflector as to cause air heated by said electric lighting element to circulate through said bottom section of said buoy head and prevent freezing of such moisture as may accumulate in said air conveying means adjacent its terminus.

5. In combination with a vessel, a buoy releasable therefrom in the event of disability to the vessel, electric signaling means carried by said buoy, a source of electrical energy in said vessel, an independent local source of electrical energy in said buoy, means for anchoring said buoy to said vessel and conveying electrical energy from said vessel-carried source of electricity to said buoy, automatic switch means for coupling said vessel-carried source of electricity to said signal ing means only upon release of said buoy, and means for subsequently coupling said local source of electricity to said signaling means after, and only after, failure of said vessel-carried source.

6. In combination with a vessel, a buoy releasable therefrom in the event of disability, to the vessel, radio equipment in said vessel, a radio antenna carried by said buoy and connected to said radio equipment, an electric beacon carried by said buoy, a source of electrical energy in said vessel, an independent source of electrical energy carried by said buoy, a power line extending between said vessel and buoy, switch means for automatically initially supplying electrical energy from said vessel-carried source through said power line to said beacon and radio equipment upon release of said buoy, and switch means for automatically applying said buoy-carried source of electricity to said power line and its connected radio equipment and beacon upon failure of the vessel-carried source of electrical energy.

'7. A relief buoy for sunken vessels comprising a float, a buoy head spaced above said float, and means rigidly supporting said head in an elevated position above said float, said buoy head comprising a base plate, a top plate, a cylindrical transparent wall mounted between said base and top plates and hermetically sealed therewith, a

source of illumination within said buoy head, means below said source of illumination to reflect upwardly light rays emitted by said-source, and an inverted conical reflector coaxially disposed Within said cylindrical transparent wall above said source of illumination and reflecting thelight from said first reflecting means radially outwardly through said transparent wall.

8. A relief buoy for sunken vessels comprising 10 a float, a buoy head having a space therein mounted on said float, an air-conveying line terminating in a port in said head and having a portion located in such space, and an electric V :beacon light disposed within said head in a space l5having communication with said first space, the heat generated by said light precluding freezing of such moisture as may be accumulated in said line.

9. A relief buoy for sunken vessels comprising a float, a buoy head mounted on said float, an air-conveying line terminating in a port in said head, and an electric beacon light disposed withl in said head, a portion of said air-conveying line and said beacon light being disposed in a space the parts of which have communication therebetween, whereby air heated by said light may contact with said portion of the air-conveying lineto prevent freezing of such moisture as may accumulate therein.

10. In combination with a vessel, a buoy releasable therefrom in the event of disability to the vessel, electric signalling means carried by said buoy, a source of electrical energy in said vessel, an independent local source of electrical ,35 energy in said buoy, means for anchoring said vessel, electric signalling means carried by said: buoy, a source of electricalenergy in said vessel, .50 an independent local source of electrical energy in said buoy, means for anchoring said buoy to said vessel and conveying electrical energy from said. vessel-carried source of electricity to said signalling means whensaid buoy is released,

5 means for automatically connecting said local buoy electrical source to said signalling means upon failure of said vessel-carried source of electricity, and means in said vesseltocontrol said electric signalling means when said signalling go means is connected to either of said sources of electrical energy.

12. A relief buoy for sunken vessels comprising a float, a buoy head spaced above said float,

a central tube extending upwardly from said float 5 supporting said head, stay members extending upwardly from the top of said float adjacent its periphery and connected at their upper ends to said head, and a helically wound radio antenna having its several turns rigidly supported by said 7 head-staying members, said antenna having a lead-in connection extending into said head in hermetically sealed association therewith, and

extending downwardly through said central tube.

13. A relief buoy for sunken vessels comprising a float, a buoy head spaced above said float, and

a ballast member secured beneath said float, a central tube extending through said float and terminating, respectively, at said head and ballast member, stay members extending upwardly from the top of said float to said head, an electric beacon in said head, electric supply lines connected to said beacon and extending downwardly through said central tube and ballast member into connection with the sunken vessel, and a perforated metal shield between said float and ballast member inclosing and protecting said central tube and the line extending therethrough.

14. A sealed relief buoy for sunken vessels comprising a float, a hollow buoy head spaced above said float, and a hollow ballast member, electrical signalling equipment carried by said float, tubes connecting the interior of said float with the interiors of said buoy head and ballast box respectively, control mechanism for said electric signalling equipment mounted in said float, and an electric line extending from said vessel upwardly through said ballast box and one of said tubes to the control mechanism in said float and thence through the other of said tubes to said buoy head and said signalling supporting stay members, an electric beacon disposed within said buoy head, said buoy having an air port therein, and air and electric lines connected to said port and beacon respectively and extending downwardly through said tubes, float and ballast box, and means sealing said lines in said ballast box. a

16. A vessel, a buoy releasable therefrom in the event of submarine disability, radio equipment in said vessel, a radio antenna carried by said buoy and connected to said radio equipment, an electric beacon carried by said buoy, a source of electrical energy in said vessel, an independent source of electrical energy carried by said buoy, a power line extending between said vessel and buoy when released for initially supplying electrical energy from said vessel-carried source to said beacon. and radio equipment, and switch means for applying said buoy-carried source of electricity to said beacon and vessel-carried radio equipment upon failure of the vessel-carried source of electrical energy.

17. Alvessel, a buoy releasable therefrom in the event of submarine disability, radio equipment in said vessel, a radio antenna carried by said buoy and connected to said radio equipment, an electric beacon carried by said buoy, a source of electrical energy in said vessel, an independent source of electrical energy carried by said buoy, a power line extending between said vessel and buoy when released for initially supplying electrical energy from said vessel-carried source to said beacon and radio equipment, and an automatic switch means for applying said buoy-carried source of electricity to said beacon and vessel-carried radio equipment upon failure of the vessel-carried source of electrical energy.

JAMES BERNARD ROOKE. 

